Based on what's happened so far, I can't wait to see how the rest of the season plays out.

How can you not be excited for Detroit (5-0), Buffalo (4-1) and San Francisco (4-1)?

Every season, a few teams explode out of the gate and become national feel-good stories, but they fade in November and December when injuries and treacherous weather separate the contenders from the pretenders.

Of the teams with the best records, which one do you think is the most likely to burn out over the second half? I'd say the 49ers, but they play in such a pathetic division that it again could be won with a 7-9 record.

I think the team that will burn out will be Washington. The Redskins are 3-1 and lead the NFC East, but I don't see them having the kind of talent required to win what is always the most physical division in the NFL.

Every season, a few teams that were supposed to be good struggle early and recover over the second half. Who are your most likely candidates?

Philadelphia (1-4), the New York Jets (2-3), Atlanta (2-3) and Kansas City (2-3) are the biggest disappointments. I don't think the Chiefs will turn it around because they have suffered too many serious injuries on both sides of the ball.

Eagles down, not out

I wouldn't rule out the Eagles because they have talent, and Andy Reid is a good coach who won't cave in to the mounting pressure in Philadelphia.

Reid knows that since 1990 five teams that started 1-4 bounced back to win their divisions. That happened in Houston the last time we had a playoff team - the 1993 Oilers, who went from 1-4 to 12-4 with 11 consecutive victories.

By the way, do you feel sorry for the winless Indianapolis Colts? I wish Peyton Manning had been able to play, but I don't feel sorry for Indy because the Colts have experienced so much success because of him.

Rodgers at top of game

The last thing Indy's AFC South opponents want is what the NFC North is experiencing. Green Bay (5-0) has Aaron Rodgers at quarterback after Brett Favre. That hardly seems fair for Detroit, Chicago and Minnesota.

You know the Texans, Titans and Jaguars don't want to see Andrew Luck replacing Manning as the Colts' quarterback.

With Manning out, Rodgers has closed the gap with Tom Brady and Drew Brees as the best in the league. All three have been outstanding. No wonder their teams are a combined 13-2.

Some NFL scouts believe Rodgers has passed Brady and Brees as the best. He is the first player in history to have a rating of at least 110 in each of his first five games in a season.

Speaking of Rodgers and the NFC North, if the Packers defeat St. Louis and the Lions beat the 49ers, it will be the first time since 1934 that two teams from the same division will start 6-0.

What a Thanksgiving it's going to be, with Detroit hosting Green Bay in the day's early game. By the way, isn't it about time the NFL started thinking about rotating that second game on Thanksgiving? It's Miami vs. Dallas. Nap time!

Do you like all the scoring this season? Through five weeks, teams have combined for 3,566 points - the most at this point of a season in NFL history.

Chewing up the yards

Quarterbacks have thrown for at least 400 yards 10 times - the most in history through five games. The league record of 13 (1986) in a season will be shattered, considering the way quarterbacks are throwing the ball all over the place.

Brady is on a pace to throw for almost 5,900 yards. Dan Marino's record is 5,084. Brady's favorite target - Wes Welker - already has 740 yards - most in history through five games.

Passing and scoring are fun to watch, but if you're old school like me, you also like to watch outstanding running backs and great defenses. It looks as if we'll have to wait until the weather turns.